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Wednesday, November 30, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Drop in inappropriate antibiotic use Girls basketball is
ready for new season
Oregon is seeing “encour-
aging” declines in unneces-
sary antibiotic use for treat-
ing respiratory infections, but
people continue to needlessly
use these bacteria-fighting
drugs on viral infections such
as colds and bronchitis, a new
Oregon Health Authority
report has found.
Unnecessary use of anti-
biotics on viruses can lead
to dangerous antibiotic resis-
tance, which makes these
drugs less effective when
they are most needed.
According to the
2016 report, “Antibiotic
Prescribing in Outpatient
Settings in Oregon,” there has
been a 29 percent decline in
oral antibiotic use in Oregon
since 2008, and an 8 percent
decline between 2014 and
2015. Still, antibiotics were
used to treat nearly half of
uncomplicated bronchitis
cases, even though most of
these infections are typically
due to viruses, not bacterial
infections.
During 2008-2015, antibi-
otic use increased in the win-
ter months, when respiratory
infections peak each year.
Although use of fluoroquino-
lones and cephalosporins—
known as “broad-spectrum”
antibiotic drugs—were level
throughout the year, the most
commonly used drug class in
winter months, after penicil-
lins, was macrolides, another
broad-spectrum antibiotic.
“Prescription by clinicians
of broad-spectrum antibiot-
ics is always a little surpris-
ing, as they are often used for
infections that don’t require
treatment in the first place,”
said Ann Thomas, M.D.,
of OHA’s Public Health
Division and medical direc-
tor of the agency’s Alliance
Working for Antibiotic
Resistance Education
(AWARE).
She said the problem is
that when antibiotics are used
for viral infections, such as
colds and bronchitis, it can
lead to resistant bacteria and
dangerous side effects. “Side
effects can include diar-
rhea and vomiting, and they
can even be deadly, such as
allergic reactions. They also
wipe out normal intestinal
flora” she explained. “The
data from this report tell us
we still have work to do to
reduce prescriptions for colds
and bronchitis.”
AWARE is reminding
consumers about the dangers
of unnecessary antibiotics for
viral respiratory infections.
Antimicrobial resistance con-
tinues to pose serious health
threats. At least 2 million
people acquire serious infec-
tions, with 23,000 of those
dying each year, from anti-
biotic-resistant bacteria in
the United States. Outpatient
settings in the U.S. are home
to more than 60 percent of
national antibiotic expendi-
tures. Respiratory conditions,
including many where anti-
biotics are not appropriate,
remain the most common
diagnoses lead to antibiotic
prescriptions in children and
adults.
Consumers should not
pressure their health care
providers to prescribe anti-
biotics for colds and the flu,
and question their provider
if they really need antibiotics
when prescribed. Consumers
who receive appropriately
prescribed antibiotics for
bacterial infections, however,
should take every dose, even
if symptoms improve, since
not doing so contributes to
drug resistance. And they
should not share antibiotics
with others, since individu-
als taking antibiotics not pre-
scribed to them can experi-
ence adverse reactions.
To learn more about
Oregon AWARE www.health
oregon.org/antibiotics.
You’re
Invited!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST • 5:30-8:30 P.M.
ByKRongiKYost
Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws bas-
ketball squad is a relatively
young team this season,
with only two returning
seniors, Hogan Hernandez
and Amanda Smith. The
two seniors, along with
junior Rylee Weber, will
lend experience to the
team.
All of the remaining
players are sophomores
and freshmen. Sophomores
include Sofia Affatati,
Sophia Bianchi, Meaghan
Greaney, Sydney Head,
Nancy Montecinos, Alexa
Stewart and Andre Tapia,
and freshmen players
include Josie Aylor, Olivia
Hougham, Kaylee Huber,
Adelyn Myhre, Rheanna
Salisbury and Gracie
Sundstrom.
The completely new
coaching staff includes new
head coach, Alan Von Stein,
and assistants Tiffany Lausen
and Chris Harline.
Coach Von Stein told The
Nugget that the team’s major
focus for the year will be
team play, strong defensive
effort, and developing strong
fundamentals.
The team is excited
about the coming season
and will have their first
game at home on Friday,
December 2, against Crook
Country. Tip-off is set for
5:45 p.m.
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